A bright idea to make the LUMA Southern Light Project accessible
to all is being sponsored by Queenstown Airport.
LUMAbility will be run as a pilot project when the popular arts,
performance and sensory event returns to the Queenstown Gardens at King’s
Birthday Weekend, 1-5 June, 2023.
Guided tours catering to diverse needs will be offered outside
normal operating times so guests can enjoy the artworks and musical installations
without having to navigate crowds and traffic congestion.
“LUMA is a wonderful event and we want to make it welcoming and
accessible to everyone," Queenstown Airport's Partnerships and Marketing Manager, Vanessa Hartnell, said.
“We hope LUMAbility will provide a really memorable experience. And,
if it is a success, it could be used as a model for other inclusive community
events.”
LUMAbility organisers have been working with community groups such
as the Pivotal Point Charitable Trust, the Mint Charitable Trust, Living
Options, IDEA Services and the Wakatipu Senior Citizens Association to develop
the pilot project.
Tours will be tailored to the audience and will be run by Sunny
Sky, from Epic Living, who has a wealth of experience working alongside groups with
diverse abilities.
“We’ve had very positive feedback,” LUMA spokesman Tim Buckley said.
“We are excited to be working with Queenstown Airport to establish
accessibility as another cornerstone of how LUMA is delivered for our community.”
Ms Hartnell said Queenstown Airport had a ‘one team’ philosophy
that encouraged collaboration to create a diverse, inclusive, dynamic and
welcoming environment where people feel safe and valued.
“LUMAbility lines up with this goal perfectly.”
For more information about LUMA, please click here.
For more information about Queenstown Airport’s Sustainability Strategy and community partnerships, please click here.
